*Meet Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to prepare trunk for Saturday orientation session and Friday afternoon Conference 101. Complete necessary forms to have the trunk moved to meeting location(s). If necessary, contact the staff liaison prior to the conference to arrange for the Friday move.

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*Meet Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to prepare trunk for Friday orientation session and Saturday morning NMRT 101. Complete necessary forms to have the trunk moved to meeting location(s). If necessary, contact the staff liaison prior to the conference to arrange for the Friday move.

*Arrive at the meeting room early to be sure it is properly set up. This may require up to one hour.

*Arrive at the meeting room early to be sure it is properly set up. This may require up to one hour.

Committee Charge

The Orientation Committee plans and conducts orientation programs at both the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. The 90 minute Saturday morning orientation at Midwinter and Friday afternoon orientation at Annual provide attendees an introduction to ALA, NMRT, the conference, the exhibits, and the host city. Additionally, the program provides the opportunity for other ALA divisions and round tables to distribute literature and promote their organizations.

The additional 90 minute program held on Saturday morning at Annual focuses on NMRT. It introduces attendees to NMRT and encourages attendees engage to with NMRT at the conference and beyond.

History of the Committee

Prior to 2002-2003, the committee planned and conducted Annual orientation. During 2002-2003, the committee's charged changed to include the planning and conducting of both the Midwinter and Annual orientations. In 2007 Conference 101, the additional one-hour program held on Friday afternoon at Annual was added to the charge. In 2011, the Friday afternoon program was extended by an additional half hour. In 2013 the programs were re-aligned to previous goals such that there is a 90 minute orientation on Saturday morning at Midwinter, a 90 minute orientation on Friday afternoon at Annual and a 90 minute NMRT 101 session on Saturday morning at Annual.

Major Responsibilities

Plan and conduct orientation programs at both the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. The orientations serve to introduce attendees to ALA (including its various divisions and roundtables), NMRT, the conference, the exhibits, and the host city. Plan and conduct NMRT 101 program at Annual Conference. The NMRT 101 session serves to introduce attendees to NMRT and encourage attendees to engage with NMRT at the conference and beyond.

Procedures Used to Accomplish Major Responsibilities

Establish the committee.

Set goals and objectives of the program.

Secure speakers and materials.

Carry-out program.

Committee Composition and Term(s) of Office

The chair is a two year appointment and committee members serve one year terms from Annual to Annual.

September

Review program suggestions and with assistance from committee members, make preliminary decisions about the program.

October

Contact speakers and try to get confirmation as soon as possible.

Communication with the Fundraising Coordinator about anticipated vendor support if any.

Determine if audio-visual equipment will be used and what costs will be anticipated. Contact Staff Liaison to make arrangements.

Contact NMRT Staff Liaison to request the deadline for submitting materials to be included in the conference trunk.

November

Continue the planning process, working closely with committee members and Networking Director.

If packets are to be prepared, decide what materials will be included. Annual Conference Local Information Committee can be helpful in securing tourist brochures, etc.

Contact ALA divisions and round tables to solicit brochures and/or to request representative to attend Midwinter orientation. Brochures should be sent to Staff Liaison for storage and transport to conference.

Contact NMRT committee chairs to see if they have materials to include in packets for Midwinter. Brochures should be sent to Staff Liaison for storage and transport to conference.

December

Study budgetary needs carefully. If needs exceed available funds, try to pare down your budget. You can request a budget adjustment at Midwinter through a written justification.

Notify committee members of Midwinter meeting times and places as well as Orientation session information.

Confirm speakers for Midwinter.

Send Midwinter Orientation agendas and evaluations to the Staff Liaison to be printed.

Annual

Meet Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to prepare trunk for Friday orientation session and Saturday morning NMRT 101. Complete necessary forms to have the trunk moved to meeting location(s). If necessary, contact the staff liaison prior to the conference to arrange for the Friday move.

Arrive at the meeting room early to be sure it is properly set up. This may require up to one hour.

Have your committee members run through the program with you.

Watch for arrival of speakers and show them to their seats. Be alert to their needs and to the comfort of the audience throughout the program.

After the conference, write thank you letters to speakers and others who were helpful.